Council urged to tackle empty homes crisis
NICOLA FINDLAY
A Tory MSP has called on South Lanarkshire Council to “up its game” in filling empty homes.
The authority was mentioned throughout a hard-hitting report on the issue by a committee of MSPs and Graham Simpson – who sits on it – has slammed SLC for being one of the few councils not to employ an empty homes officer.
Recent figures revealed that the number of empty properties in South Lanarkshire has increased from 2656 in 2007 to 3243 in 2017 – a 22 per cent increase. The stats also showed properties empty for six months or more here had increased from 963 in 2007 to 1174 in 2018.
Central Scotland MSP Mr Simpson said: “SLC is one of the few councils not to employ an empty homes officer.
“Evidence shows these officers are highly effective in bringing empty homes back into use.
“The council was criticised by some residents for its heavy-handed approach to using the empty homes levy – without even checking if work is being done on houses to bring them back into use. This is actually making matters worse.”
The Local Government and Communities Committee called it “unacceptable” that the council tax levy is being over-used by some councils.
It allows for local authorities to remove the discount on empty properties and charge a council tax increase of up to 100 per cent
The report says in some cases, the levy is being used as a revenue raising tool, exacerbating the empty homes problem rather than solving it.
It also called on the Scottish
Government to fulfil its commitment and introduce compulsory sales orders to tackle the blight of empty homes.
Daniel Lowe, executive director of housing and technical resources for the council, said: “We actively seek to identify empty homes across South Lanarkshire, and works in conjunction with owners to bring them back into use.
“While we do not currently have a dedicated officer with responsibility for empty homes, a broad range of services are available to engage with owners and offer advice and assistance to them.
“We have already been working with the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership to review the services it provides, with the aim of increasing the number of long-term empty homes brought back into use.
“This includes the potential establishment of a dedicated empty homes officer position.”